Over 40% of Nigerians Now Enjoy 20-Hour Daily Power Supply – Power Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, announced that more than 40% of Nigerians are now benefiting from up to 20 hours of electricity daily.

In a statement by his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, the minister attributed this achievement to several groundbreaking initiatives implemented by the government to ensure a stable and consistent power supply.

Earlier this year, in April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) removed electricity subsidies for approximately two million customers in Band A, promising to deliver at least 20 hours of power per day.

According to NERC’s August data, Nigeria’s power generation stood at an average of 4,150 megawatts, serving a population of over 200 million.

Adelabu credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, emphasizing that this progress aligns with the president’s “Renewed Hope” agenda aimed at boosting the nation’s economy. Reflecting on his one-year tenure as part of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations, Adelabu noted that the improvement in power supply results from bold decisions taken by the government.

“This accomplishment is due to the revolutionary steps being undertaken in the power sector, with the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Adelabu stated.

He further highlighted that President Tinubu has consistently underscored the importance of a reliable power supply in driving Nigeria’s industrialization efforts. Adelabu also revealed that Nigeria is currently generating over 5,500 megawatts of electricity, with plans to improve further by year-end, as stable power supply was a key campaign promise of the president.

Adelabu stressed that stable electricity is the backbone of any advanced economy, citing examples such as South Korea, China, Europe, and North America, where reliable power supply has been instrumental in driving economic growth and industrial development. “For Nigeria to achieve similar growth, we must focus on providing steady power to households, industries, and institutions,” he added.

The minister also emphasized that the country’s goal is to support industries and businesses, which will lead to job creation and economic development. Drawing parallels with South Korea’s industrial giants like Samsung and LG, Adelabu reiterated that their success was partly due to the government’s provision of stable electricity.

Since assuming office, Adelabu’s ministry has increased Nigeria’s installed power generation capacity from 13,000 megawatts to over 14,000 megawatts, thanks to new power projects like the Zungeru hydroelectric plant.

The country generates over 5,500 megawatts of power, and more than 40% of the population now enjoys over 20 hours of regular electricity supply.

“We’ve made significant strides within just one year, and we are committed to making even greater progress,” Adelabu concluded.